Prior to joining Nardello & Co., Michael served as a Senior Investigative Attorney for the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Office of Inspector General, where he led sensitive official misconduct investigations of senior officials, including hospital executives and supervisory federal law enforcement officers, resolved systemic safety problems at facilities throughout the country, and responded to allegations of whistleblower retaliation against contractors and grantees.
Michael drafted public reports of investigation that identified systemic misconduct, then proposed recommendations to the agency and to Congress to resolve these problems. When evidence of criminal conduct arose, he collaborated with criminal investigators and federal prosecutors. He frequently briefed senior leaders on investigative findings and assisted leadership in preparing for briefings with the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
At the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where he tried several cases to verdict, Michael managed all aspects of prosecution, from initiation of investigation through final disposition. He drafted subpoenas, search warrants, and complaints, led grand jury investigations, and argued motions.